The New York correspondent of the Times, writing in Washington
on October 21st, telegraphs that the Govern- ment contemplates "energetic action" to bring the never- ending conflict in Cuba to a close. Apparently it proposes to buy the island by paying off or assuming its debt ; and if that proposal is rejected, will recognise the independence of Cuba. This statement must have been made with the know- ledge of the White House, and is antecedently probable. There is a strong feeling of sympathy with the Cubans throughout the Union, and a horror of General Weyler, akin in kind, though not in justice, to British horror of the Sultan, and both are accentuated by the dislike of Spaniards which in the South-Western and Pacific States is universal. There is an idea, too, that Cuban trade might be most valuable to the States. A war, therefore, would be popular, and it is by no means certain that Spain would shrink from one. Her Government is pressed almost beyond bearing by financial difficulty, by the popular discontent at its ill-success, and by fear that this dis- content may give the Carlists their opportunity. Many statesmen in Madrid are inclined to calculate that war would save the honour of Spain, would relieve her of the burden of a ruined colony, and would enable the Treasury to liquidate its obligations without disgrace. Many preparations have been made for the contingency, and there are able Spaniards who believe that although they cannot win in the end, the war will not be discreditable to their great history.
